Age of Revolutions

Scientific Revolution

Scientific Revolution

• What was it?– the period roughly between 1500 and 1700 during

which the foundations of modern science were laid down in Western Europe

• Influenced by the Renaissance– Curiosity, investigation, and critical approach

• Scholars no longer wanted to rely on the explanations that ancient or religious beliefs told them

• People began experiments and mathematics to explain mysteries of the unknown

• People move away from mysticism, superstition and ignorance

Who were some important figures?

• Nicolas Copernicus: – Developed heliocentric theory – Dispelled old geocentric theory (earth is

center of universe)• Johannes Kepler:

– Discovered planetary motion • Galileo Galilee:

– Used telescope to support/prove heliocentric theory

Challenge of the Church’s stance that Earth was the center of the universe was

an essential aspect of the Scientific Revolution

• Isaac Newton: – Discovered Laws of Gravity – Formulated basics of physics

• William Harvey:– Discovered circulation of the blood and

expanded knowledge of how the heart worked

• There were many more… too many to name

Pioneers of the scientific revolution

• Nicolaus Copernicus: Developed heliocentric theory

• Johannes Kepler: Discovered planetary motion• Galileo Galilei: Used telescope to support

heliocentric theory• Isaac Newton: Discovered Laws of Gravity• William Harvey: Discovered circulation of the

blood

The Roots of Modern Science• The Medieval View

– Most knowledge in the Middle Ages comes from the Bible and Greek/Roman sources.

– Supports geocentric theory—moon, sun, planets revolve around earth

The Roots of Modern Science

• A New Way of Thinking– Renaissance prompts new ways of thinking (1300-

1600)– Scientific Revolution—new way of viewing the

natural world—based on observation and inquiry– New discoveries, overseas exploration open up

thinking– Scholars make new developments in astronomy

and mathematics.

Pioneers of the scientific revolution

• Nicolaus Copernicus: Developed heliocentric theory

Copernicus• 1473 -1543• His “heliocentric” model of the universe removed men from the center of everything• His ideas were in direct conflict with the Bible

and the accepted assumptions of the Catholic Church

A Revolutionary Model of the Universe

• The Heliocentric Theory– Widely accepted geocentric

theory challenged as inaccurate

– Copernicus develops the heliocentric theory—planets revolve around the sun

– Later scientists mathematically prove Copernicus to be correct

Nicolaus

Copernicus

Johannes Kepler

• 1571 -1630..student of Brahe• Discovered planetary motion• Elliptical, not circular…fan of Copernicus• His 3 new laws were based on mathematical

relationships….

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

• Used telescope to support heliocentric theory and discover 4 moons of Jupiter

A Revolutionary Model of the Universe

• Galileo’s Discoveries– Italian scientist Galileo Galilei

makes key advances in astronomy.

– He makes discovery about planet surfaces

– supports heliocentric theory– 4 moons of Jupiter (Jupiter

has 8 moons)– Sun spots

Galileo Galilei

Galileo and the Inquisition, 1633…• Conflict with the Church

– Church attacks Galileo’s work, fears it will weaken people’s faith

– Pope forces Galileo to declare his and other new findings are wrong

• On 31 October 1992, Pope John Paul II expressed regret for how the Galileo affair was handled, and officially conceded that the Earth was not stationaryCristiano Banti's 1857 painting Galileo

facing the Roman Inquisition

Isaac Newton: GRAVITY• 1642-1726 (born same year Galileo died)• Removes last doubts over HELIOCENTRIC model of

the universe

Newton Explains the Law of Gravity

• Newton’s Theories– English scientist Isaac

Newton develops theory of motion—states some forces rule motion of planets, matter in space, and earth

– LAW OF GRAVITY

Isaac Newton in 1689

Newton Explains the Law of Gravity

• Newton’s Theories (continued)– Motion in space and

earth linked by the law of universal gravitation—holds that every object is universe attracts every other object

– Newton views the universe as a vast, perfect mechanical clock

Isaac Newton in 1702

William Harvey: 1578-1657

• Discovered circulation of the blood and the role of the heart

The Scientific Revolution Spreads

• Medicine and the Human Body– Andreas Vesalius

improves knowledge of anatomy

Andreas Vesalius

The Scientific Revolution Spreads

• Medicine and the Human Body (continued)– Edward Jenner produces

world’s first vaccination—for smallpox

1802 caricature of Jenner vaccinating patients who feared it would make them sprout cow like appendages.

The Scientific Revolution Spreads

• Scientific Instruments– Scientists develop

microscope, barometer, and thermometer

– New instruments lead to better observations and new discoveriesmicroscope

thermometer

simple mercury barometer

How did they do this?

• Creation of the Scientific Method 1. Ask a Question 2. Do Background Research 3. Construct a Hypothesis 4. Test Your Hypothesis by

Doing an Experiment 5. Analyze Your Data and

Draw a Conclusion 6. Communicate Your

Result

Examples of tools they used:-Barometer - Microscope-Telescope - Thermometer

The Scientific Method• A Logical Approach

– Revolution in thinking leads to development of scientific method—a series of steps for forming and testing scientific theories

• Bacon and Descartes– Thinkers Bacon and Descartes help to create scientific

method– Bacon urges scientists to experiment before drawing

conclusions– Descartes advocates using logic and math to reason out

basic truths

The Scientific Method

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) René Descartes (1595-1650)

What did this lead to?

• Emphasis on reason and systematic study of nature• Explosion scientific knowledge and curiosity

– Greatest leap in knowledge up until that point in time– Creation of scientific communities– Role of the Printing Press

Importance of the scientific revolution

• Emphasis on reason and systematic observation of nature

• Formulation of the scientific method• Expansion of scientific knowledge

Francis Bacon, Galileo, and Isaac Newton promoted the idea that knowledge should be based on

A. The experiences of past civilizationsB. Experimentation and observationC. Emotions and feelingsD. The teachings of the Catholic Church

Answer is B.

Which was a result of the Commercial Revolution

A. Decline in population growth in EuropeB. Shift of power from Western Europe to

Eastern EuropeC. Spread of feudalism throughout Western

EuropeD. Expansion of European influence overseas

Answer is D

Which system developed as a result of the Commercial Revolution

A. ManorialismB. CommunismC. Bartering D. Market economy

Answer is D

According to the theory of mercantilism, colonies should be

A. Acquired as markets and sources of raw materials

B. Considered an economic burden for the colonial power

C. Grated independence as soon as possibleD. Encouraged to develop their own industries

Answer is A.

Which statement best describes the effects of the works of Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo

Galilei, Sir Isaac Newton, and Rene´ Descartes?

A. The acceptance of traditional authority was strengthened.

B. The scientific method was used to solve problemsC. Funding to education was increased by the English

government.D. Interest in Greek and Roman drama was renewed

Answer is B

Which was a characteristic of the policy of mercantilism followed by Spanish colonial

rulers in Latin America?A. The colonies were forced to develop local industries to

support themselvesB. Spain sought trade agreements between its colonies

and the English colonies in North AmericaC. The colonies were required to provide raw materials to

Spain and to purchase Spanish manufactured goodsD. Spain encouraged the colonies to develop new political

systems to meet colonial needs

Answer is C